Mission: Fundacion Pies Barefoot develops a model of public education to children displaced and vulnerable communities in Colombia, through the comprehensive protection strategies to improve the quality of life for students and their families

Vision: Being a Foundation recognized for developing a public education model self-sustaining and replicable, which achieves the comprehensive education of citizens committed to the development of their communities and the strengthening of democracy.

History: In 1995, Shakira's first international success with her album Pies Descalzos.

Shakira concerned about the situation of children in his country, specifically of children displaced by violence, decided in 2003 to direct all efforts of the Fundación Pies Descalzos to improve the nutritional conditions of the 2,000,000 families displaced.

Besides food, the issue generated more needs, it was necessary to find solutions for the displaced population, which is why in 2003 began building the first school in Quibdo Barefoot, city of the Colombian Pacific coast, where displacement Forced reached figures of up to 35%.

Quibdó School opened its doors in 2004 and responded satisfactorily to 500 children. Thanks to its social, Shakira steered the efforts of the Foundation in Barranquilla, his hometown, where 980 children and girls from two institutions district, Las Americas and El Siete de Abril, received free education until 2007.

That same year the Pies Descalzos Foundation began its work in the municipality of Soacha, on the border with Colombia. The work began in the school social Gabriel García Márquez and the High School of The Minute 980 Cazucá where other children had another opportunity to study.

In 2005 the Barefoot Foundation responded to the 2610 basic needs of children, increased rates of displacement and continuing our support to 3072 children and youth, and 88 teachers found job stability. The change also experienced by families of 7797 people.

In 2006, the 5 schools attended our Foundation 3610 children and young people. During 2007, we sum up the educational model of our schools. We convert the income generating programs in parent co-operatives, which have created 250 new jobs to date, benefiting 10 communities and the goal for 2009 is that all these revenue-generating programs are self-sustaining.

During 2008 the Barefoot Foundation responded to the needs of education, nutrition and psychosocial support 5 thousand children and their families.

Our history has shown the ability to strengthen programs, achieving better service to communities, as well as working closely with the government and create an implementation outline stronger.

During the years 2007 and 2008, the Foundation faced the biggest challenge of its history: contucción Educational Institution and Community Center Foundation in the township Barefoot Beach in Barranquilla. Endidades With support for public, private and multilateral financial effort by Shakira and other donors Barefoot Foundation school was opened on 4 February 2009. The new school has programs of the Foundation and atienende to 1,590 children, plus 21 thousand people in the township La Playa receive the benefits of this project through the Foundation's community programs.

Shakira Pies Descalzos Foundation and confirm that help is possible and that change can keep giving.